When and why did you begin writing? I remember becoming obsessed
with writing poetry in high school. I have always had a creative gene
when it comes to expressing myself. Writing is another extension of
that.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? You know that title
hasn’t truly registered with me yet. In fact, just the other day my
nephew had to write a biography for school about an author and he
chose me. That touched me and made me laugh at the same time.
What inspired you to pen your first novel? I was going through a
person transition and focusing on such a huge project was therapy to
me. I had finally gotten to that pivotal point in my life where I
needed an outlet for my emotions, I suppose.
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
Different people that I’ve met and/or places I’ve visited at some
point in my life.
How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing? I was
raised in the South and what that entails alone has influenced me. I
have some pretty colorful as well as intellectual kinfolks where I’m
from.
Do you have a specific writing style? First person,
emotion-filled, with a touch of humor.
What genre are you most comfortable writing? I write from
inspiration so I like to think that I’m not restricted to any specific
genre.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? I’m a sucker
for classic R&B, so I’m usually listening to that for motivation while
I’m writing. With my latest, I was having a Holland-Dozier-Holland
moment, which explains the title.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
There is nothing like the strength of a strong AA southern woman,
namely, women like my mother. My writing reflects the will it takes to
be that type of woman. What I try to relay to reader¼loving thy self
as spiritual beings gives us the strength to change any adverse
circumstance placed before us.
How much of the novel is realistic? Only a small portion. About
90% is total imagination.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
The humorous characters, somewhat.
What books have most influenced your life? Native Son, Black Boy,
To Kill a Mockingbird; I like the controversial classics.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? I
like the underdog in any situation, so it would be anyone who has done
the unexpected or who has beaten the odds. I admire that type of
success in people.
What are you reading now? I am collecting the classics¼the 100
greatest books written. So presently, I am re-visiting Alcott’s Little
Women.
What new author has grasped your interest? Bernice McFadden. I
really like her writing style.
What are your current projects? I am working on a sequel to The
Fish Ain’t Biting and also a project based on real life events and
real women.
Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or
another renaissance? A little of both maybe. It’s not unusual to
see that sudden explosion in things at some point. The smoke will
eventually clear and you’ll be able to honestly say which is dominant.
Do you feel more African Americans are reading? I would truly hope
so. And reading, not buying for the sake of supporting AA authors but
more for the empowerment that knowledge brings.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Entities such as yourself and the AA bookstores.
How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing
venture in general? Not everyone will support your cause, but my
family has been overwhelmingly supportive of me in anything that I do.
Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career? Definitely
long-term because writing is therapeutic for me. So whether in book
form only in my journal, I’ll continue to stroke paper with pen.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything? I
would want to devote more time to writing. I’m still holding down a
fulltime career, so it’s sometimes difficult when I know I need to be
at an book expo or conference and instead I’m sitting in a staff
meeting or counseling someone else.
Is there anything additional you would like to share with your
readers? That I really and truly thank each and every one for
supporting me.
Self-Publishing Questions:
How do you feel overall about self-publishing?
It was definitely the avenue and option
for me. I don’t take the answer “no” very easily. So instead of giving
up on a dream, I got out there and obtained it.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of promotion for self-published
authors? The strength in promotion is time. You have to devote a
lot of time. The weakness being of course, a lack of time and money.
What do you feel is one major benefit to self-publishing your book?
You learn the inside of the business. Education is always good for
any aspect of business.
Would you encourage or mentor someone to become self-publish? I am
asked that a lot and my response is always very positive. I would just
encourage anyone wishing to self-publish to arm themselves with loads
of information.
Author
Kathy Mitchell-Thomas...